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I CHRONICLES 4:9,10

"THE PRAYER OF JABEZ"

Intro: In the recording of the families of Judah, Jabez comes into the
       picture - "Born of  sorrow" - yet he was more honorable than his
       brothers - he prayed.

I. TO WHOM WAS HIS PRAYER MADE?
        A. This is very important.
                1. When a person tells me that they pray every
                   night - to whom?
                2. There are many gods.
                        a. When a person says lord, it would be
                           important to-know Who or what is lord.
                        b. The supreme passion of a man's life is his god.
                        c. Many people respect or fear Jehovah yet serve
                           other gods.
                                1. When they cry 'oh god' they 'might be
                                   calling baal or molech or mammon.'
                3. The prospects of the prayer being answered depend
                   upon to whom petition is being made.
                        a. You may petition me for $100,000.
        B. "He called on the God of Israel" - Jehovah.
                1. He is a good one to call on.
                        a. He is the only true God.
                        b. He created the universe.

II. CONSIDER HIS PETITIONS.
        A. "Bless me indeed"
                1. How selfish? - -
                2. There is a pseudo-humility inspired by Satan.
                        a. "I don't want to bother God with my problems."
                        b. "Oh, I would never ask God for anything for
                            myself."
                        c. "Dear God bless the universe."
                3. I want God to bless me.
                        a. He wants me to be a blessing to others.
                        b. I can't be except that I receive His blessings
                           first.
                4. The blessing requested.
                        a. "Enlarge my coasts."
                                1. Help me to possess all that you have
                                   given me.
                        b. "That thy hand might be with me."
                                1. The hand of God upon my life.
        B. "Keep me from evil."
                1. A part of the Lord's prayer - "deliver us from evil."
                2. The evil one is always present to draw into his snare.
                        a. To be evil is so natural and easy.
                        b. To be good is difficult.
                3. "That it may not grieve me."
                        a. The primary result of evil is not grief.
                                1. Exciting, thrilling.
                                2. Prosperity.
                                3. Satan does not allure you with the
                                   prospect of grief.
                        b. The end result of evil is always grief.
                                1. It is a wise man who considers the
                                   end result. Where does the path lead?
                                Prov: "her house is the gate to
                                hell". . . "there is a way that seemeth
                                right."

III. THE RESULT OF HIS PRAYER "AND GOD GRANTED HIM THAT WHICH HE
     REQUESTED."
        A. "If we ask anything according to His will He. . . ."